DRAFT: For Discussion Purposes Selecting a Portfolio Manager Who is a portfolio manager? A portfolio manager (PM) is a person who has the requisite skill and expertise to look after your investments and manage them for you. PM’s make decisions about investment mix and policy, matching investments to objectives, asset allocation for individuals and institutions, and balancing risk against performance. There are two types of portfolio managers – discretionary PMs and non-discretionary PMs. Your investment solution should be based on your investment goals and circumstances and you should consider the level and structure of investment service you require. A discretionary PM individually and independently manages the funds of each client in accordance with the needs of the client. Choose a discretionary investment manager who is most capable of helping you meet those goals. Whether you are an individual, philanthropist, pension fund, foundation or family office type investor you should choose your portfolio manager based on your particular financial situation, age/time horizon, income, tax situation and risk tolerance. The fund companies, chartered banks, independent boutique firms all offer discretionary management through either segregated accounts or in a pooled fund structure. The level of service depends not only on the level of portfolio tailoring, investment disclosure, investment style, investment success, investment experience and reporting detail that the firm offers, but also the level of contact with the portfolio manager and the investment decision makers who directly affect your investment performance. A non-discretionary PM must operate within the agreed upon limits to achieve the client’s stated investment objectives and takes direction from the client directly. The benefits of working with a portfolio manager Working with a portfolio manager can allow you to build a portfolio that fits your investment goals and comfort level with risk. A portfolio manager can help you set your investment goals, create an investment policy statement, design a portfolio that contains suitable investments and help you track your progress, and adjust as necessary. Choosing the right portfolio manager for you will depend on what products and services you need, and the type of advice received. A portfolio manager will work with you to understand your investment goals and your tolerance for risk. Portfolio managers have a duty to recommend investments that are suitable for you. The best portfolio managers fully understand your objectives and match investment recommendations to your goals. How to find a portfolio manager Consult Industry Associations. PMAC’s is Canada’s leading industry association representing registered portfolio managers across Canada. Our mission is to advocate the highest standards of unbiased portfolio management in the interest of the investors served by members. PMAC is a not-for profit organization that exclusively represents firms that provide discretionary investment management for private clients, pension plans, foundations and other institutional investors. Member firms are in the business of managing investments for clients in keeping with each client’s needs, objectives and risk tolerances. All PMAC Members are registered with provincial securities commissions under the category of “Portfolio Manager”. PMAC was established in 1952 and currently represents over 180 investment management firms that manage total assets in excess of $800 billion (excluding mutual fund assets). For more information about PMAC and our mandate, please visit our website at www.portfoliomanagement.org. DRAFT: For Discussion Purposes Consult the PMAC Member Directory. The Directory is available on the website at www.portfolimanagement.org. Each PMAC Member firm is listed and, in many cases, a link to the firm’s web site is included along with information about each firm and the types of clients they service. Contact your local regulator. Securities regulators oversee Canada’s capital markets and the advisers who sell and manage securities traded in those markets. You can contact your local securities regulator to check the registration of an individual or firm, and to find out if they have a record of any disciplinary actions. For information on how to contact your local securities regulator, visit the Canadian Securities Administrators website at www.securities- administrators.ca. You can also contact the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). Referrals from trusted sources. Asking others for referrals, such as friends, family, work colleagues and professionals you trust, like your accountant or lawyer may be a good start to creating a short list of potential portfolio managers that may fit your investment needs. Keep in mind that what’s good for one person may not be good for another and you should always conduct your own due diligence despite the referral source. What to look for in a portfolio manager The following are key things to look for when selecting a portfolio manager: Check the portfolio managers qualifications and registration status What services are offered and what is the minimum account size the firm requires? What types of products does the firm invest in? Does the firm provide references? How will the firm help you reach your investment goals? How are fees charged? Before selecting a portfolio manager follow these simple steps: Check registration (CSA National Registration Search and local regulator) Check disciplinary history (CSA Disciplined Persons list, CSA Cease Trade Orders database and local regulator) Check the news and search the Internet Contact PMAC for information Appendix A: Glossary of Terms Appendix B: Due Diligence Checklist DRAFT: For Discussion Purposes Appendix A: Glossary of Terms Reference Definition Adviser A person or company engaging in or holding himself, herself or itself out as engaging in the business of advising others as to the investing in or the buying or selling of securities. AUM Assets under management CFA Chartered Financial Analyst GIPS The Global Investment Performance Standards. Click here for more information. Investment Fund A person or company that directs the business, operations or affairs of an investment Manager fund. Pooled fund A pooled fund is a separate legal entity where clients’ assets are pooled together to acquire an interest in a basket of securities. Each client owns units in the fund, and the fund itself owns the securities. Separately Managed Is an approach used by many pension funds, other institutions, and high net worth Account (SMA) individuals to achieve desired results. In an SMA, each client’s assets are held completely separate from the assets of other clients. Segregated fund Is a type of investment fund administered by Canadian insurance companies in the form of individual, variable life insurance contracts offering certain guarantees to the policyholder such as reimbursement of capital upon death. As required by law, these funds are fully segregated from the company's general investment funds. Private client Individuals who are not "permitted clients" under securities laws and that are generally individuals and families who have a significant financial portfolio and require expertise and access to investments beyond those available to the mass market. Click here for more information. Permitted client See section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. DRAFT: For Discussion Purposes Appendix B: Due Diligence Checklist The following due diligence checklist should be reviewed before meeting with a prospective portfolio manager. You may be able to answer some of the questions included in the checklist from the data provided in the PMAC Member Directory. The remaining questions can be answered in interviews with firms that you identify as most suitable. Topic Sample Questions Firm Overview • How long has the firm been in business? • What are the total assets under management? AUM of sub-fund Each firm has its own unique profile mandates, managed or under administration? of history and ownership. These • Are there separate operating divisions? sample questions will help you • Public or private? Annual Report? understand the experience level, • Majority shareholders / distribution of ownership? motivation and culture of an • How many clients do the firm / advisor have? organization. • Average client size? • How many employees are there and what has been the retention rate of key personnel? • Regulatory registrations (i.e. portfolio manager, exempt market dealer, investment fund manager?) • Custodian, Accountant, Legal Counsel? Strategic Review • How does the firm define/describe its style and how does it implement this strategy? There are many different • Who is the firm’s “typical” client? approaches to investment • Does the firm provide references? philosophy and style that provide a • Break down the investment process - clear distinction among firms. Some instruments/research/quantitative elements/people used? Asset mix are specialists, some adopt a certain committee? style such as value, growth, • Are benchmarks used for performance? contrarian, and others offer a • What is the firm’s competitive advantage? How does this compare to combination of styles, such as others? GARP. • What is the current long/short/cash/equity/bond/other asset mix? • What is the numbers of securities / diversification and turnover in the portfolio? • Does the firm's